A state presentation says NJ FamilyCare's first behavioral health managed-care phase is underway, while residential and opioid programs are delayed until 2027.
Behavioral health integration update
The New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services said NJ FamilyCare is taking a phased approach to moving behavioral health services into managed care. The update was presented at the agency’s quarterly provider meeting on March 12, 2026.
According to the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the stated goals include increasing access to services through member-centered care and bringing behavioral and physical health together for whole-person care.
Phase 1 covers outpatient services
The Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services said Phase 1 went live on January 1, 2025. This phase covers outpatient behavioral health services for adults and children.
Services listed by the Division include mental health outpatient counseling or psychotherapy, partial hospitalization, partial care in an outpatient clinic, and outpatient hospital or clinic services. Phase 1 also includes substance use disorder outpatient counseling, intensive outpatient services, outpatient clinic services including ambulatory withdrawal management, peer support, care management, and partial care.
Residential and opioid programs moved to a later phase
The Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services said Phase 2 will cover residential and opioid treatment programs. Listed services include adult mental health rehabilitation or supervised residential services, short-term substance use disorder residential treatment, medically monitored inpatient withdrawal management, long-term substance use disorder residential treatment, and opioid treatment programs.
Phase 2 had been planned as part of the broader integration effort, but the Division said its go-live date will be delayed until 2027.
Future services remain to be determined
The Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services said Phase 3 will cover additional services that are still to be determined. Services identified for possible inclusion include Opioid Overdose Recovery Programs, Psychiatric Emergency Screening Services, Behavioral Health Homes, Community Support Services, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, and targeted case management.
The presentation does not specify a Phase 3 launch date or identify which additional services will ultimately be included.
What this means for New Jersey patients
The state’s phased approach may be relevant for people looking for behavioral health treatment locally and trying to understand how NJ FamilyCare services are organized. The directory lists 163 published clinics in New Jersey.
This is general information, not medical advice.
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This report is educational and is not medical advice. Coverage, availability and eligibility can change; verify details with the named source or your care team.